ILOILO CITY — The Roman Catholic Church in Iloilo and Guimaras is supporting the three-day national vaccination drive against COVID-19.
Archbishop Jose Romeo Lazo of the Archdiocese of Jaro has ordered the ringing of bells in churches across Iloilo City as well as towns in Iloilo and Guimaras provinces Monday morning, which signaled the start of the three-day “Bayanihan Bakunahan” drive.
“Let us support this endeavor of the Church and be one in showing this very act of love to others,” said the Archdiocese in a November 29 announcement.
“While vaccination is never imposed recognizing that every person should be free to choose whether or not to vaccinate according to their conscience, we highly encourage our brothers and sisters to get vaccinated for we have the social responsibility and obligation to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the further spread of the virus,” the Archdiocese appealed.
Department of Health (DOH) Regional Director Adriano Subaan joined Mayor Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City in the kick-off of the three-day event.
DOH earlier did not have a target for COVID-19 vaccination in Iloilo City, the regional capital, after its vaccination rate was already more than 100 percent.
In Iloilo province, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. led the launching and even had his COVID-19 booster shot. The province of Iloilo is targeting to vaccinate 338, 716 persons.
Meanwhile, the province of Guimaras is targeting to vaccinate 28, 699 persons from November 29 to December 1.